Gov. Mike DeWine and state health officials lifted their mandatory shutdown of all dine-in services effective May 21, and many restaurants and pubs began serving diners that very night. Some restaurant owners waited until after the Memorial Day holiday and reopened two weeks ago, and more reopened last week.
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Over the weekend, Sporty’s Taphouse & Grill and Nanyea Restaurant Coffee House & Bar, both in Harrison Twp., opened their dining rooms. Nanyea Restaurant, however, will offer carryout and delivery only during the week, from noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and open its dining room on Fridays and Saturdays only, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. It is closed on Sundays.
Credit: HANDOUT
Credit: HANDOUT
Today, Monday June 8, kicks off a fourth wave of reopenings. Here’s a partial list of restaurants and bars that will reopen their dining rooms and bars this week, and the steps that some of those restaurants are taking to protect the health of diners and employees.
Monday, June 8
-- Frisch's: The Cincinnati-based casual chain's restaurants in Troy, Xenia and Lebanon reopened today, Monday June 8. Its Englewood, Kettering and West Springfield restaurants had opened previously.
-- Mack's Tavern in Washington Twp: Opens at 11 a.m. today, June 8. Here's what owner MacKenzie Manley posted on the bar's Facebook page this morning:
“We have missed you all and have been figuring out all these new rules and how to keep everyone safe. So now we would love to welcome you back!” The tavern is open Monday through Friday 11 .m. to midnight, and Saturday and Sunday from noon to “at least midnight,” Manley said.
Tuesday, June 9
-- Meadowlark: The Washington Twp. restaurant will open for lunch and dinner, "reservations only, or call-ahead seating as availability allows," Meadowlark founder Elizabeth Wiley wrote on the restaurant's web page.
“We are adhering to strict protocol as laid out by the State of Ohio and the National Restaurant Association. Our mission is to provide a safe and protective environment for guests and staff alike,” Wiley wrote. “That is the only way we can provide hospitality, and the only way that you can relax and enjoy your meal.”
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Guests will be required to wear a mask as they enter, when they are walking in the restaurant, when they initially interact with their server, and when they are leaving. Once seated and with order placed, guests can pull their masks down.
Curbside carryout will remain available “for the foreseeable future,” Wiley said.
-- Sweeney's Seafood Bar & Grill: This restaurant in downtown Centerville will reopen for inside dining at 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 9. Seating will be available in the dining room, bar and outside patio, weather permitting. All guests must have reservations, which can be made by calling 937-291-3474 Tuesday through Sunday after 2 p.m. The restaurant will continue its curbside pickup. The daily menu can be found on the Sweeney's Seafood Bar & Grill web site and Facebook page.
-- Old Scratch Centerville: Tuesday, June 9, at 4 p.m., the Old Scratch Pizza location in Centerville will open its dining room. Curbside and carryout services will continue. The Centerville location can be found at 440 Miamisburg-Centerville Road.
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Wednesday, June 10
-- Jay's Restaurant: The mainstay in Dayton's Oregon District since 1976 will reopen for dinner at 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and will be closed on Mondays.
“We will have an additional staff member dedicated to removing all finished plates and concentrating on sanitizing common areas while in service,” Jay’s owner Amy Haverstick said. “Our oysters and shrimp bar will be prepared in the back kitchen. We will still be offering happy hour from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and we want our happy-hour guests to know they may sit in the dining room, since we will have limited bar seats. We will also be offering carry out.”
-- The Oakwood Club: Founded in 1962, the Oakwood Club has remained shut down entirely since the state-mandated suspension of all restaurant dine-in services began March 15 and ended May 21. It will reopen at 4 p.m. for dinner, and also will be offering curbside pickup of its menu items. The menu will be available on the restaurant's web site, co-owner Lance Stewart said.
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“In order to provide our guests with a comfortable, safe, and excellent dining experience, we ask our guests to help us by following a few changes,” Stewart wrote. “Entry will be the front door only and exiting will be through the rear entrance. Our staff will wear masks and gloves. Plexiglas has been installed between booths and at the bar with social distancing observed. The dining areas have been arranged to follow social distancing. Disposable menus will be provided.”
Cocktails and other spirits will be available with takeout orders, Stewart said.
-- Old Scratch Dayton: On Wednesday, June 10, Old Scratch Pizza in Dayton will open at 4 p.m. Curbside pickup and carryout services will continue. The Dayton restaurant is located at 812 S. Patterson Blvd.
Thursday, June 11
-- Tender Mercy: This new underground bar at 607 E. Third St. was forced to close just three days after it opened fully to the public. It will reopen at 50 percent of its original capacity to allow for proper distancing between parties while practicing necessary sanitation efforts throughout the space, its owners said. Reservations will be required, and walk-ins will not be admitted, the owners said in an email. Initial hours will be 6 p.m. to midnight Thursday through Saturday. Cocktail classes and wine tastings are available. For more information, go to www.tendermercy.com.
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Coming Next Week:
After shutting down its curbside carryout operations this week for renovations, Christopher's Restaurant in Kettering is gearing up to reopen its dining room on Sunday, June 14, and will be adding Sunday hours going forward. And Giordano's Pizza in Beavercreek is planning to reopen its dining room on Monday, June 15, its general manager, Kristin Artkamp, said this morning.
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